Steering clear from traditional notions of celebrity, Orhan Awatramani, more popularly known as Orry, has unabashedly confirmed that he commands a steep Rs 25 lakh for each public appearance, marking his value in the star-studded canvas of Indian social life. His revelations came forth when Orry was featured on a podcast hosted by Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa. Showing an aversion to showbiz’s demands, Orry expressed his disinterest in joining the film or television industry, stating, “Who dreams of hard labour? Nobody. I hate work, and doing films and TV is a lot of work. And in this industry, work never ends. You take the work home with you, your life revolves around your work. People think it’s an easy life, but it isn’t.”
His earnings and management are strategically handled by Karan Johar’s Dharma Cornerstone Agency, giving Orry more than just a brush of legitimacy in the elite circles. As he travels the circuit of Bollywood’s glitzy evenings and private soirees, Orry’s presence itself comes with a hefty fee. “Do I look cheap?” he quipped, “I charge Rs 25 lakh if you ask me for a photo. If I offer one myself, I don’t charge. If someone formally asks for Orry’s touch, it’s Rs 20 lakh.” This intricate balance of self-promotion and mystery is managed by approximately twelve personnel who see through Orry’s personal and professional engagements.
Clarity about Orry’s work remains shrouded as he casually explained the structure of his management, “I have a formal team at Dharma Cornerstone Agency, and then I have my own people.” Nonetheless, this has not stopped him from being the talk of the town, especially after admissions that families have been willing to collectively shell out the demanded sum – Rs 25 lakh – to have him grace their parties.
This revelation aligns with his narrative, as seen in his appearance on ‘Koffee with Karan 8,’ where the creator Karan Johar inquired about the advent of ‘Brand Orry.’ Ironically, it isn’t a crafted campaign, but merely attending a birthday party of Boney Kapoor’s daughter that triggered his claim to fame. The media’s attention at the event made Orry a notable name, “Boney uncle, being the gentleman he is, had come down to receive me at the gate. So I said, ‘Boney uncle, they were screaming my name!’ My name, for the first time! I was so shy, I was shaking.”
The rise of Orry has been unconventional, never relying on the usual trajectory of auditions, roles, and the arduous climbing of the star-ladder. Instead, Orry has utilized social media and his associations with celebrities to position himself within a highly competitive ecosystem. His candidness about the business side of his appearances is a refreshing, if not bold, step away from the veils of modesty often exhibited by public figures.
Although he refrains from revealing the nature of his profession, Orry’s statement suggests he places a significant emphasis on the value of his personal brand. His fee structure leans massively towards the upper echelons of financial figures, even for prominent figures in the entertainment industry.
Orry’s bold assertion of his financial expectations for public appearances encapsulates a new era of social media celebrities who are capitalizing on their online presence to gain foothold and monetary success. As he navigates this realm with the support of the Dharma Cornerstone Agency and his personalized team, Orry continues to redefine what it means to be a celebrity in today’s digitally connected landscape.
